By KPC Reporter
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has proposed to revise park access and conservation fees for the first time in nearly two decades.
This is in a bid to bridge a staggering KES 12 billion annual funding deficit threatening the future of the nation’s biodiversity.
Citing escalating operational costs, stagnant revenue streams, and mounting conservation challenges, KWS warns that its capacity to safeguard wildlife and maintain vital infrastructure is increasingly strained.
In the 2024/2025 financial year, the agency raised KES 7.92 billion—far below its projected requirement of KES 19.79 billion.
To close the gap, KWS has published the draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation Fees) Regulations, 2025.
The service has proposed a comprehensive fee structure overhaul for entry into national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and marine protected areas.
“This review isn’t merely about boosting revenue—it’s about the survival of our wildlife and the integrity of our conservation systems,” emphasized KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga.
“Tourism accounts for over 90% of our internal revenue, yet we’re grappling with a widening fiscal gap that endangers conservation efforts and the livelihoods of more than one million Kenyans who depend on wildlife.”
According to KWS, the revised fee model is anchored in an economic impact assessment and is projected to increase park revenues from KES 7.92 billion in 2024 to KES 16.58 billion by 2028.
It supports the agency’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes endangered species protection, anti-poaching operations, infrastructure modernization, and community-based conservation initiatives.
Public participation, transparency, and inclusivity are central to the review process, with KWS calling on stakeholders to engage meaningfully.
The draft regulations were published in the Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII—No. 148 on July 9 and are available on the KWS website.
Kenya’s wildlife sector contributes approximately 10% to the national GDP and generates over USD 1 billion annually in direct revenue.
KWS asserts that the new fee structure will not only safeguard Kenya’s natural heritage but also reinforce its status as a globally competitive and accessible conservation destination.